A cobpobation of



C. RORABECK.

TRACTOR LINK.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-25,1919.

Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

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CLAUDE RORABECK, OF CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO AMERICANMANGANESE STEEL COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION MAINE.

TRACT OR-LINK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 8, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUDE Romnnon, a citizen oi the United States,residing at Chicago Heights, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented CQFHUIIDQW and useful Improvements inTractor-Links, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to tractors, and especially to treads used in thetrack laylng type of tractor.

The present method of making tractor links which are assembled inendwise relation forming the track laying tread, includes castingshaving the tread portlon formed with a grouter. This feature has itsdisadvantages in that when moving over ground that is not dry, mudaccumulates in the grouter to such an extent as to often permit slippingof the tread.

My invention has to do with the improvement of treads for track layingtypes of tractors for successful commercial use, and its main object isproviding a grouter separate from and independent of the tread plates"forming the track laying tread, whereby the grouters between theadjacent plates serve to cover the joints under certaln conditions andto break the joints under other conditions.

The objects of my invention Wlll be clearly understood from theaccompanying sheet of drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a top plan view of two connected adjacent links embodyingmy 1nvention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the arrangement of Fig. 1 looking at thebottom of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a modlfication of my invention; and

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

In the form in which I have chosen to illustrate my invention, 5 and 6represent adjacent tractor links each of which IS in the term of a platehaving cast integrally therewith the tracks 7 for engaging the bearingrollers of the driving wheels. Successive link plates are spaced at asuitable interval. as clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, so as topermit of the necessary looseness and angular movement of the plateswith respect to one another particularly when traveling around theguides at the ends of the tractor. The ends of the adjacent tracks areadapted for connection by means of the pins 8 held in position bycotters 9. It is usual practice to make these links so that the teeth ofthe sprocket wheel will extend between the parallel tracks 7 and engagethe pins 8 for moving the chain. In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown thegrouter 10 as having a head portion and shoulders 11 adapted to overliethe contiguous ends of the adjacent plates and prevent admission of dirttherethrough. In

Figs. 1 and 2 the grouter is provided with three spaced lugs 12, 13, and14 having centrally disposed apertures for the reception of the pins 8.lVhen the lugs are arranged as shown in Fig. 1 it will be noted that thesprocket wheels may engage the central lugs 13, or parallel sprocketsmay engage the outer lugs 12 and 14, or, if desired, a three-planesprocket may be used to engage all of the lugs 12, 13, and 14 for movingthe track chain. When the sprocket teeth engage the said shoulders, thetendency is to rock the grouter, which is important, in that suchrocking tends to break the mud joint formed between adjacent links,thereby increasing the tractive effect of the tread.

In some links and in Fig. 3 one pair of ends of the tracks 7 isconnected by an integral sleeve 15 having an enlarged aperture for thereception of the connecting pins 8. here the grouter of my invention isadapted to be used with such an arrangement it is provided with only theouter or end lugs 16 and 17 adapted to engage the in outwardly of thetracks '7. This construction permits the sprocket wheel to engage eitherthe sleeve 15 and the outer lugs 16 and 17, or the sleeve 15 alone, orthe outer lugs 16 and 17. In any event motion is transmitted to thetread by sprocket wheels engaging the pin or its associated parts. Itwill be observed that a chain formed of separate plates and separategrouters embodying my invention will lie on the ground as shown in Fig.2. As the chain passes over the bearing wheels at each end of the run,the joints between successive plates and covered by the grouters 10 willbe broken and whatever mud and the like which has accumulated at thejoint will be dislodged, so that at all times the grouter is free ofmud, insuring a positive tractive engagement with the ground.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the base portions of a link having cutouts 18 and19 which are so made as to aiiord an opening around the grouter. Thisconstruction is used where there are no openings through the side wallsof the tracks '7 for the expulsion of accumulated dirt between thetracks 7, so that the dirt may be displaced by the sprocket Wheels.

l/Vhile I have described more or less precisely the details ofconstruction of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as limitingmyself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form and the proportion ofparts and the substitution or equivalents as circumstances may suggestor render eXpedient, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

1 claim:

1. A track chain of the self laying type, comprising link plates havingtracks upon their upper sides, said tracks projecting beyond the ends ofthe respective link plates and pivotally connected to the tracks of therespective adjacent link plates, adjacent ends of successive link platesbeing spaced to permit angular movement of said plates, and grouters atthe under side of the chain, each grouter spanning the space betweenadjacent link plates and provided with a portion extending through thespace between the link plates and pivotally connected to the pivotalconnection. between said link plates.

2. A track chain of the self laying type, comprising link plates,pivotal connections between successive plates, adjacent ends ofsuccessive link plates being spaced to permit angular movement of saidplates, and

grouters spanning the spaces between the link plates and provided withportions extending through said spaces and pivotally connected to thepivotal connections between the link plates.

3. A track chain of the self laying type, comprising link plates,pivotal connections between successive plates, adjacent ends ofsuccessive link plates being spaced to permit angular movement of saidplates, tracks upon corresponding faces of the plates, the tracks ofsuccessive link plates cooperating to form continuous tracks when thelink plates are in one and the same plane, and grouters, each grouterspanning the space between successive link plates and provided withportions extending through the spaces between the plates and pivotallyconnected to the pivotal connections between the link plates.

4. A track chain of the self laying type, comprising link plates,successive link plates having their adjacent ends spaced and providedwith transversely alined perforate lugs projecting into the spacebetween successive plates, a pivot pin extending through the perforatelugs, and grouters, each grouter spanning the space between adjacentlink plates and provided with portions extending through the spacebetween the plates, said portions having perforate lugs receiving thesaid pivot pin.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 19th day of August, 1919.

CLAUDE RORABECK.

